16 hours Ago By Rory Poulter
If you faced disruptions during the Covid-19 pandemic, there's a chance that airline credit could be tucked away in your inbox, but you need to act fast as the deadline is approaching. Major airlines such as Aer Lingus, Iberia, Level, and Vueling handed out vouchers for scrapped trips in 2020 and 2021 that are set to expire on 30 September 2025. After that date, any unused vouchers will become worthless.
Aaron Peake, Consumer Money Expert at CredAbility, cautions: "Millions of pounds' worth of airline vouchers are set to expire, and many people don't even realise they still have them. "Airlines aren't going to chase you up - if you forget to use your voucher, that's free money in their pocket. A quick check of your emails or the airline's website could save you hundreds on your next trip.
" Should you have experienced a flight cancellation in 2020 or 2021, it's likely you were given the choice of a refund or a travel voucher. Typically, these vouchers were sent by email, so scour your inbox using terms such as "voucher" or your airline's name. If you come up empty-handed, visit the airline's website - they often have options for recovering forgotten vouchers through your email address.
When all other methods fail, reaching out directly to the airline's customer service might just unveil any hidden credits you have. Aaron advises: "A five-minute search could be the difference between paying full price for your next holiday or getting a big discount. Even if you think you used your voucher, it's worth double-checking.
You might have a partial balance left over." Most vouchers can be used when booking online – simply enter the code at checkout. Some airlines, such as Iberia and Vueling, allow you to use vouchers on package holidays, but you may need to book over the phone to redeem them.
Vouchers typically cannot be used for extras like seat selection or baggage fees, so check the terms before booking. Aaron cautions that vouchers may not stretch as far as they once did: "Flight prices have soared since the pandemic. In some cases, your voucher might not cover the full cost of a trip anymore, meaning you'll need to pay the difference.
But it's still better than letting the money go to waste." "If you're not planning a trip before September 2025, consider booking for later in the year to lock in your voucher's value," suggests Aaron. "Some airlines allow you to transfer vouchers to family or friends, so if you can't use yours, check if someone else can.
However, don't leave it until the last minute. The closer we get to the deadline, the harder it might be to find flights that work for you. Airlines could have blackout dates, limited availability, or increased prices.
The sooner you book, the better your chances of making the most of your voucher.".
